Portland Day 2

Voodoo Doll

Voodoo Doll

We begin our day with breakfast at Voodoo Donut Too; classic voodoo doll and an old fashioned maple cake donut. Would I stand in line for them? No. However, I do love a novelty and what’s more novel than a donut shop where you can get hitched (I’m pretty sure you can only marry at the main location though).

Strolling about the city, we worked up quite an appetite. For lunch we stop at Oven and Shaker for a kale salad and salami pizza. Ambiance, food, and service were fantastic!

Kale Salad

Kale Salad

 

Salami Pizza

Salami Pizza

Living in Boston, I am unaccustomed to happy hour. Five dollar cocktails and four dollar craft beers, I was like a kid in the candy store where all the Cadbury Fruit and Nut Bars (imported) cost a penny! It’s a dangerous discount. We stop in Clyde Common and sample a few beverages; punch, cocktail, beer. All lovely. Ninkasi Brewery’s Oatis is a notable mention (and I’m heartbroken they don’t sell anywhere around Massachusetts. Are you listening Ninkasi?).

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Dinner at Noble Rot, the wait was something awful and in the end, we just sat at the bar. I recommend the Rot Meat plate and the view. They have a patio which must be spectacular when the weather is warm/dry enough.

Another trip to Roadside Attraction, just as great as the first time!

Portland – Day 1

In order to avoid eating overpriced and unsavory airport fare, we started off our trip with the Brazilian Hangover Helper from Dave’s Fresh Pasta (mortadella, provolone piccante, red onion, dill pickle, hot peppers, mayo). I’m not sure about the hangover part, since I was not, but nonetheless it was delicious and made me want to incorporate more provolone cheese into my diet.

Dave's Fresh Pasta - Brazilian Hangover Helper

Dave’s Fresh Pasta – Brazilian Hangover Helper

After a long ride, we finally arrive in Portland. Our first stop is Lardo (eastside location) for dirty fries and a pork meatball bahn mi. Total win here, everything was amazing! The sandwich was a bit on the small side in my opinion, but with a pile of fries it didn’t really matter.

Lardo - Pork Meatball Bahn Mi & Dirty Fries (pork scraps, marinated peppers, fried herbs and parmesan)

Lardo – Pork Meatball Bahn Mi & Dirty Fries (pork scraps, marinated peppers, fried herbs and parmesan)

Directly across the street is a pod* called Cartopia (SE 12th and Hawthorne). Most of the carts are open until 3am and they have enough variety to please just about anyone. We ended up with a “plain old peach” pie from Whiffies. If only I hadn’t pigged out at Lardo, I might have been able to get a sammie from PBJ’s Grilled. Quick tip, PBJ’s Grilled is not open every day so beware! Sadly, I never got to try one during the trip since they were closed on Monday. My heart was broken, but that’s beside the point.

After the pie we headed off to Roadside Attraction (1000 SE 12th Ave) for a few drinks. Coming from Boston, the establishment felt really unique and after further bar hopping in Portland, nothing came close in quirk and coziness. I don’t have the words to portray an accurate picture, but perhaps Wes Anderson set meets Quentin Tarantino set might do it justice. I can’t speak to the food, but if you’re in the mood for a smoke by the fire or an intimate porch swing conversation, it’s worth stopping by.

Food Vocab

Pod – “surface lots with more than a few carts” definition from foodcartsportland.com